 | | It was a pleasure to welcome Jonathan Austin, New Zealand Ambassador to China, and Peter Lund, Consul General of New Zealand in Hong Kong, to the Chamber on 25 November. They were received by Chairman Agnes Chan, CEO Patrick Yeung, Asia, Africa and Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, and Vice Chairman Anastasia Gordeeva.
Ambassador Austin said Hong Kong accounted for around 10% of New Zealand’s exports, while the Mainland accounted for 16%. He explained that the Mainland has been a very important economic partner for New Zealand, with major exports including dairy, meat, fruit as well as wood, tourism and education being important growth areas.
Discussing Hong Kong’s unique role, Chan described the city as China's most international metropolis and the world’s top offshore RMB business hub. She noted that Hong Kong possesses the world’s only bilingual common law system, which underpins institutions including the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre.
Highlighting Hong Kong's role as a super-connector and super value-adder, Gordeeva emphasized the confidence foreign investors have in the city. Gordeeva shared that foreign investors remain confident in Hong Kong, given how welcoming and simple it is to set up a business here.
| | 2025/11/25 |
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 | | It was a pleasure to welcome Mohamad Siradj Parwito, Deputy Assistant for Food Price Stabilization at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Republic of Indonesia to the Chamber on 20 November. The delegation was received by Chamber Vice Chairman PC Yu, CEO Patrick Yeung and leaders of the Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee.
Discussing Hong Kong’s food sector, particularly rice as a staple, Yu explained that while the Government does not intervene in market pricing, rice is classified as a strategic resource, with stockpiles secured in government reserves.
Traditionally, Hong Kong has imported most of its rice from Thailand. However, demand for Vietnamese rice is growing, alongside premium varieties from Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Yu also noted that overall rice consumption has declined in recent years, driven by increasingly Westernized diets, shifting demographics and a wider range of food options.
| | 2025/11/20 |
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Kagoshima.jpg) | | It was a pleasure to welcome Naruaki Fujimoto, Deputy Governor of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, and his delegation to the Chamber on 27 October.
During a meeting with Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung, Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, and Vice Chairman Qamar Zaman Minhas, both sides discussed the upcoming 25th Hong Kong-Kagoshima Conference in 2026 and the strengthening of aviation ties between Hong Kong and Kagoshima.
Fujimoto expressed hope for the resumption of direct flights between the two cities, noting that Kagoshima Airport will enhance its ground handling services in November. He emphasized that direct flights would not only boost tourism in Kagoshima but also reinforce long-standing bilateral cooperation through exchanges in history, culture, cuisine and the arts.
Enzo Chan, Head of Corporate Affairs at HK Express Airways Ltd, said the airline is actively reviewing opportunities to resume flights, highlighting its position as one of the largest carriers operating in Japan. Kim Fong, Head of Government Affairs, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, affirmed the airline’s commitment to fostering people-to-people exchanges through strategic network planning.
Fujimoto added that both the public and private sectors in Kagoshima are prepared to share the latest updates and look forward to welcoming visitors from Hong Kong to the 25th Hong Kong-Kagoshima Conference. Yeung noted that next year also marks the Chamber’s 165th anniversary, making the conference a fitting flagship event in the celebratory calendar.
| | 2025/10/27 |
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 | | It was a pleasure to welcome Özcan Tokel, Deputy Secretary General of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, to the Chamber on 23 October.
During a meeting with Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung and Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of the Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee and other committee leaders, Tokel discussed how Turkish companies can leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to markets in the Chinese Mainland and Asian nations, especially in the food, textiles, film and jewellery sectors. He also encouraged Hong Kong businesses to visit Türkiye to take part in trade exhibitions and explore new opportunities.
The exchange also focused on ways to enhance bilateral trade relations, including the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the partnership between Hong Kong and Türkiye.
| | 2025/10/23 |
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 | | Hon Benjamin Mitogo Bielo, President of the Official Chamber of Commerce of Equatorial Guinea, called on the Chamber on 27 October. Dewan Saiful Alam, Chairman of the Asia, Africa, and Middle East Committee, hosted a productive session in which both sides explored avenues for business collaboration.
The delegation, comprising leaders from sectors such as banking, logistics, medical services and communications, showed keen interest in Hong Kong’s legal and arbitration services. They also highlighted significant investment opportunities for Hong Kong businesses in Equatorial Guinea, particularly in agro-industries and tourism.
To strengthen this growing partnership, the two sides discussed plans for a future business mission to Equatorial Guinea and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote stronger economic ties.
| | 2025/10/21 |
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 | | Anas Shadi, Deputy Consul General of Egypt in Hong Kong, visited the Chamber this week to share exciting developments from the country.
He highlighted the booming Suez Canal Industrial Zone – a strategic gateway for factories exporting to Europe. Emphasizing Egypt’s strategic pivot to diversify its economic partnerships, Shadi said there was a keen focus on attracting Chinese investment to promote trade and collaboration with Hong Kong.
The meeting explored how Egyptian companies can leverage Hong Kong as a gateway to access the vast Chinese Mainland, as well as Asian markets, with a particular focus on high-demand exports such as citrus and other agricultural products.
Egypt also has considerable potential for tourism expansion. With only 3,000 visitors from Hong Kong annually, numbers can be boosted through enhanced marketing and strategic partnerships between the two economies.
| | 2025/10/16 |
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 | | The Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry for Industries, Commerce & Investment Department Punjab (ICID) on 13 October to expand cooperation between Hong Kong and Pakistan.
Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Minister, ICID, and Agnes Chan, Chairman, HKGCC, signed the agreement, which was initiated during a virtual meeting with Minister Hussain in September this year.
Hussain, accompanied by Waleed Ahmad, President, Rahim Yar Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Wahab Tariq Butt, Managing Director, Hong Kong Visa Application Centre, explained that the province of Punjab is actively seeking to attract investment by offering a one-stop shop for investors and encouraging local businesses to go global. The Punjab government views Hong Kong as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland, and is seeking future knowledge exchanges in digital transformation and renewable technology through the city.
Members interested in receiving news updates about Pakistan can contact the Chamber secretariat.
| | 2025/10/13 |
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 | | Thank you to the Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HKJCCI) for co-hosting a fantastic Joint Luncheon on 13 October! HKJCCI President Kiichiro Takanami welcomed guests to the Japanese Club, and highlighted that this traditional gathering has been an important exchange between Hong Kong and Japanese businesses since 2002.
We were honoured to be joined by Jun Miura, Ambassador and Consul General of Japan, who highlighted exciting pathways to deeper Hong Kong-Japan ties. He outlined upcoming initiatives, including a tech start-up symposium -- which will highlight the huge IP market – as well as products and cultural festivals, including “Japan Nights – Happy Wednesday” on the 5th, 12th and 19th of November at Happy Valley.
HKGCC Chairman Agnes Chan noted that nearly 2.7 million Hongkongers visited Japan in 2024, and hoped that the surge in Japanese visitors to Hong Kong, which is up 35% this year, would continue.
Nick Chan Vice Chairman of HKGCC's China Committee, delivered the keynote address on Hong Kong’s enduring global advantages. He outlined our unique role as a springboard for international business and a super-connector to the Chinese Mainland under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework.
We look forward to continuing this invaluable partnership, fostering deeper ties, and creating new opportunities for our members.
| | 2025/10/13 |
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 | | In a move to facilitate closer bilateral economic ties and collaboration, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, the Provincial Minister for Trade of Punjab, Pakistan, met on Wednesday with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce during a virtual meeting, facilitated by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
The discussion focused on Punjab’s evolving investment landscape and pathways for enhanced cooperation between Hong Kong and one of Pakistan’s most populous and economically significant provinces.
Minister Hussain emphasized the strategic importance of the Hong Kong-Punjab partnership, framing it as a mutually beneficial conduit for businesses seeking entry into foreign markets. To attract foreign investment, the Punjab government is implementing a series of incentives, including the establishment of free trade zones and a significantly streamlined investment approval process.
The provincial government aims to secure federal approval for project investments within one month of submission, underscoring the province’s commitment to improving its attractiveness to investors. This proactive approach has already yielded a notable increase in Chinese investment, with a growing number of companies establishing manufacturing operations in the region.
Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung, Asia, Africa & Middle East Committee Chairman Dewan Saiful Alam, and Vice Chairmen Zaman Minhas Qamar and Elton Chan, discussed during the meeting the possibility of signing an MoU during the minister’s visit to Hong Kong in October.
| | 2025/09/16 |
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 | | A huge thank you to everyone who made our first joint-chambers Halal Happy Hour on 26 August a resounding success! It was a pleasure to collaborate with the Bangladesh Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and Macau, and the Pakistan GBA Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong.
We were honoured to have HKGCC LegCo Representative, the Hon Jeffrey Lam, and are grateful for the support of Saeed Uddin, Chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Communication Fund of Hong Kong. The event was a very useful networking evening filled with meaningful exchanges.
As Hong Kong strengthens its status as the world’s third most Muslim-friendly destination outside non-Islamic economies, we are proud to foster inclusivity and to create diverse networking events for professionals to connect. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!
| | 2025/08/26 |
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